"Do not blame yourself for not catching it. Addicts will lie, cheat and steal all while hiding their addiction. They want it that way. If you do not know then you can't take it away" ------ From Drugs To Dreams

Source: From Drugs To Dreams   Author: Mike

The following blog is in no way meant to diagnose whether a loved one is an addict of any form (drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling, etc.). The statements and descriptions are based on personal experience, use and exposure to addiction and drugs. They are solely the opinion of the author and there is no claim of medical fact. There are many more signs and symptoms that may not be listed here. Everyone reacts to drugs, alcohol and addiction differently. If, after reading this, you feel that a loved one may be an addict, confront them and seek help immediately. Only a trained medical professional can determine what is normal and what is addiction, and even then, without evidence or admittance, it can be very difficult to do. This article is meant to help educate the loved ones of addicts who have had no exposure to addiction so that they may better be able to recognize some of the signs.

One of the hardest things for a parent to get past is the realization that their child, whether an adult or teen, has an addiction and they did not notice. A lot of the signs of addiction (especially for teens) are the same signs you would find in depression or anxiety and maybe even ADHD. Without physical evidence or catching them in the act, you really have nothing to go off of other then their word. Unfortunately, an active addict’s word is almost always a lie. So how do you tell the difference between addiction and normal teenage behavior? It isn’t easy but we will go over some of the more obvious signs that should make you err on the side of caution.

The most obvious signs are personal appearance or physically noticeable. Some of the more common physical signs are constantly red or flushed cheeks, poor personal hygiene, excessive weight loss and unusual smelling breath. Heavy use of over-the-counter products to reduce eye reddening, nasal irritation or bad breath can also be a good indicator. There are also the more known signs such as track marks and burned fingertips or lips (from drawing down a “roach” until the end). Do not assume, however, that if you do not see track marks that they are not using. Many addicts have found ways of hiding track marks or injecting the drugs in to less obvious places such as the neck, between the toes or veins covered by body hair.

Psychological and behavioral signs can be confusing, misunderstood or very easy to miss. Most parents do not think twice about a teen who becomes withdrawn from family or friends, is suddenly breaking curfew with no explanation, going out every night, insisting on privacy by locking doors or hiding things in their room, mood changes or instability (going from happy to angry or even downright hostile at a moment’s notice). They may loss interest in their normal hobbies. Do they not play sports anymore? Or video games? Maybe they stopped drawing (or maybe their drawings become very dark). Maybe they are skipping school, can’t hold a job and are constantly in trouble at school.
The above stated describes a lot of teenagers. They are in the prime of development physically and mentally, so it is not unheard of to have a few bumps in the road. This is where the lines start to blur. Is your child an addict or just a confused teen? That is a question that you may not be able to answer. That is an answer that you may not see until you are aware of their addiction. Only then can you look back and say “wow, his/her behavior makes sense”.

Then there are the signs that make no sense to a parent who is unaware of their child’s addiction. Does your teen stay up for days and then crash for long periods? That can be a sign of abusing stimulants. Or is can be a sign of cramming for a final. Again, this is where the lines blur. Is your teen constantly having medical issues? Always nauseous or vomiting, nosebleeds, runny nose, unusual and frequent bruising, sores (especially around the mouth), tooth decay and gum rot, excessive thirst, constant sweating or constant headaches? These can all be signs of an addiction problem.

Drug abuse is an expensive habit. Given that most addicts cannot hold a job, or as a teen get a job, things around the house may start to go missing. You may notice liquor bottles emptying or completely gone. How about that pack of cigarettes that you know you bought a few days ago (or trying to figure out why you are going through packs faster)? Have unused or unfinished prescriptions suddenly missing? It is an easy way to get high and an easy way to obtain money to buy the drug of choice. Money, jewelry, electronics and other valuables may start to go missing, the amount of money and jewelry getting greater each time. A lot of these at home behaviors may eventually become more serious crimes such as breaking and entering, theft of other people’s possessions, robbery and so on.

Aside from the things that go missing, you may notice unusual things showing up. Does your teen suddenly have a lot of money? Brand new cell phone? New clothes? Maybe they are dealing or stealing to support their habit. Have you noticed lighters laying around his/her room? How about bongs, aluminum foil, rolling paper, over the counter (or prescription) medicine bottles, or hidden stashes of alcohol? Strange bags or seeds, sudden burn marks on their bedding, floor or inside their car can also be indicators. There are many unusual things that could suddenly appear and make you think “where did that come from?”.

A lot of these things, if thought about individually, might not seem so strange. However, if you have noticed any of these, especially in combination or large amounts, do not hesitate to confront your teen. Just remember, unless they are ready for help, there is a very good chance that they will lie about their drug use. Addicts are masters at deception and manipulation. They have to be in order to carry on with their addiction. They have learned how to actively use without anyone, even their own parents, realizing it. So is your teen just being a teen, or is there a larger problem? You may never know until they get caught by you (or the law), admit it, ask for help or in the worst case scenario, overdose. Regardless of how you find out, no parent should blame themselves for not catching it. Most parents don’t, not because you don’t care, but because we do everything possible to hide it. If it is hidden, you can’t take it away. There will come a time when everyone will know, where the addict can no longer hide, but until then there is nothing you can do but ask and try to help.

While some of the behavioral and psychological problems may be different, a lot of the above will correspond to an active adult addict. Whether it is your child, spouse or sibling, the patterns will be relatively similar. And remember, an adult can hide it even better.

© Fromdrugstodreams.com 2016